Japan Fashion Now–Go Now!

During my recent trip to New York to cover the men’s trade shows, I got a chance to check out the Japan Fashion Now exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Museum at FIT. I loved it so much, I told a friend when she went to New York. And now—since the exhibition has been extended until April—I’m telling you. GO.

The exhibition is small—but packed with information and inspiration. There are two galleries, one with highlights of the great Japanese designs from the ‘80s (think by Yohji Yamamoto, Rei Kawakubo (Comme des Garçons), Issey Miyake, Kenzo and Hanae Mori.

The second gallery focuses on current and street fashion, with plenty of emphasis on the Gothic Lolita and Cosplay trends. There’s also a section on Japanese menswear designers (Phenomenon was a favorite) as well as recent pieces by Kawakubo, Yamamoto, Matohu and Junya Watanabe.

The museum is located at FIT on Seventh Avenue at 27th Street. Admission is free. Hours are Monday to Friday from noon to 8 p.m. and Saturdsay from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you aren’t going to be anywhere near New York between now and April, there are highlights, including a few videos, on the museum’s website